December 20, 2016 Country Booster

Always better – always better read

December 20, 2016

May your spirits be lifted and your faith renewed by the beauty of this wondrous season. We are grateful to be part of our close-knit rural community. The kindness and support of good friends and customers like you make doing business a pleasure for us. It is with heartfelt gratitude that our advertisers and all of us here at The Camrose Booster wish you and yours a simply inspiring Christmas and a healthy and prosperous new year.

News Features‌

Inside...

A variety of merchandise and services:

Farm supplies and equipment, homes, Christmas greetings, real estate, communications, vehicles and more!

Edberg Growing Project waits for another year. . . . . . . . .

Market access for Alberta seed potatoes to Thailand. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Beauty through the lens . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Stuckey named to Rodeo Hall of Fame. . . . . . . . . . . . . .

4 4 8 8

www.camrosebooster.com

Photo by Sue Nelson

12 Pages

Win a colour photo of your farm!

See page 6

The COUNTRY BOOSTER, December 20, 2016 – Page 2

Joy Peace Hope Love

G or d

Health Happiness Harmony Prosperity

Tammy

Ryan

Je n n

Merry.

Bright.

Magical.

Joyous.

Healthy.

Happy.

Lucky.

Blessed.

Wishing you every happiness this Christmas season and beyond. We hope to see you again, soon!

David

Carey

Phone 780-672-9400

Fax 780-672-9556 1/2 km East on Highway 26, Camrose

Deb

Real Estate FARMS • ACREAGES • RANCHES

Kevin

Rod

R ic h r d a

Bo b

Haley

Here’s hoping your Christmas is all that and more!

Please note we will be making merry from Dec. 26 to Jan. 2. Open again Jan. 3.

The only thing le to add is our gra tude!

C h a nc e

4 ACRES BARE LAND IN 1.5 ACRES WITH POWER – on DAYSLAND – Great place to build Highway 13 at the town of Daysland. your dream home. Close to golf course and $80,000. S-103 school. Asking $150,000. S-45 ACREAGE WITH BI-LEVEL RED DEER LAKE – 5-bedroom home HOME, – machine shed and shop at Meldal Beach, nice yard with lake views. between Daysland and Heisler. $275,000. $399,900. S-96 S-106 HIGH PRAIRIE PASTURE LAND QUARTER BETWEEN HOLDEN – six quarters deeded and four quarters AND BRUCE – currently in grass but could be excellent grain land. $335,000. government lease. $850,000. S-79 S-108 4 ACRES IN DAYSLAND – with sq ft. bungalow bbungalow ga o home mCwith n BAWLF AREA GRAIN FARM – 1400¹¹ sq.

EithDnewly DhoU E ICE R PR vated aPR ated d basement, baseme bIC t large l atttt h garage with exceptional yard and two houses. renovated attached and heated insulated shop. $499,900. $2,600,000. S-109 S-44 300 ACRES OF PASTURE/RECACREAGE – With meat processing REATIONAL LAND – overlooking business, remodelled home, shop and 2 the Battle River with amazing building quonsets on 7 acres between Daysland and sites. $495,000. S-110 Strome. $700,000. S-92 NEW LISTING – 4 quarters of grain/ 80 ACRE FARM – with 4 bedroom pasture land north of Ryley with 4,000 house, ample support buildings, between head hog barn and 2 bungalow homes.

S-111 Strome and Heisler. $650,000. S-104

If you are thinking of selling your farm or acreage, please give me a call. All replies treated in strictest confidence.

Wow! Now that’s a body shop!

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George Singer

780.672.7231

www.linview.ca 1.888.546.3070

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780¡608¡6555 email: george@linview.ca

Poor weather means partial harvest for growing project

By Laurel Nadon

Members of the Kingman Grains for the Hungry project, now in its fourth year, had hoped to harvest 120 acres of canola on Oct. 18, but the harvest was put on hold due to the weather.

On Nov. 12, 75 acres were harvested and 45 acres were left in the field when the weather turned once again. The crop is located on Kupka Farms along Highway 21 between Hay Lakes and Armena. “It’s disappointing, but there’s many farmers in the area who have 10 to 20 per cent of crop left out,� said Guy Anderson, coordinator

for the group. “The weather shut us down. We’re glad we were able to get that much off so that we will be able to make a Foodgrains Bank donation.�

The crop suffered grade loss and weathering loss, but the group has covered its costs. After the remaining crop is harvested in the spring, the funds raised from its sale will go into the donation for the 2017 year.

Anderson noted that wheat crops will suffer a $1 to $2 grade loss per bushel in poor weather, whereas the danger with canola is that it might be a bit tough and cost extra to dry it.

A field dedication was held on June 5 for the fourth annual Kingman Grains for the Hungry project. A banquet date has been tentatively set for Jan. 27.

“Canola typically doesn’t lose grade too much in the fall,� Anderson said, noting that mould becomes an issue in the spring.

The banquet date has been tentatively set for Jan. 27 at the Kingman Hall, with more details to follow.

The Kingman Market-

ing Group is a local producer group of 20 farm operations that has been meeting regularly since 1991. The 2015 project of 150 acres of canola on Heie’s Farms grew over 58 net bushels per acre with net proceeds of $87,965. The combined net proceeds from

the 2013, 2014 and 2015 projects stands at $271,941 donated to the Canadian Foodgrains Bank for world hunger. In addition to this, the federal government also provides matching funding to the CFGB for food assistance programs at a rate of up to $4 for every $1 raised.

The COUNTRY BOOSTER, December 20, 2016 – Page 3

The

team

…thanks you for your support in 2016!

From Steve, Tracy, and all the staff

In the spirit of this special time of year, Merry Christmas and a Happy and Prosperous 2017 to all!

Legacy Junction 46358 A Sec Hwy 834 Phone 780.673.9593 Fax 780.673.9594 www.amraa.ca

We would like to thank everyone for your continued support throughout the year. Thanks for being such great neighbours, customers and friends.

We appreciate your business and wish you all a very merry Christmas.

(2014) 014) Ltd Ltd.

PHONE 780.672.2273

Thank You! Hank

Darren

As 2016 comes to a close, we would like to take the opportunity to thank you for your tremendous support this season.

We look forward to serving you again next year!

“Any size job welcome, big or small.”

Hank 403.783.1270 • Darren 403.704.0843

is published for Controlled Distribution

By CAMROSE BOOSTER LTD. Blain Fowler, Publisher Circulation 12,660 copies Providing coverage to the communities of Camrose (RRs and Boxes only), Ohaton, Edberg, Meeting Creek, Donalda, Bawlf, Kelsey, Rosalind, Daysland, Heisler, Strome, Forestburg, Galahad, Castor (farms), Killam, Sedgewick, Lougheed, Coronation/Brownfield, Alliance, Hardisty, Amisk, Hughenden, Czar, Metiskow, Cadogan, Provost (farms), Armena, Hay Lakes, New Sarepta, Round Hill, Kingman, Tofield, Ryley, Holden, Bruce, Viking, Kinsella, Irma, Wainwright (farms and lock boxes), New Norway, Ferintosh, Bashaw, Bittern Lake, Gwynne, Stettler (farms).

Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Saturday, 8 a.m. to 12 noon

Phone 780-672-3142

Fax 780-672-2518

News email: news@camrosebooster.com Display Ads email: ads@camrosebooster.com Classified Ads email: ads@camrosebooster.com Website: camrosebooster.com

4925-48 Street, Camrose, AB T4V 1L7 The most effective, most economical advertising medium in the Camrose area.

The entire contents of THE CAMROSE BOOSTER and THE COUNTRY BOOSTER are protected by copyright and any unauthorized reproduction of it, in whole or in part, without consent in writing, is expressly prohibited.

Steve Kushnerik, Owner

5013-48 Street, Camrose • Fax 780.672.0556 Email: cmw1@telus.net

The COUNTRY BOOSTER, December 20, 2016 – Page 4

Edberg Growing Project waits for another year

By Laurel Nadon

The Edberg Growing Project has been unable to harvest due to poor weather conditions, but organizers say the worst part of the situation is that people will be hurt by losing the foreign aid that was expected.

The group seeded 90 acres of flax south of Edberg on May 13 and had hoped to meet or exceed last year’s fundraising total of $30,000 to the Canadian Foodgrains Bank. These funds are matched up to 4:1 by the federal government.

The group was concerned about the dry conditions during seeding. Heavy rain in September, as well as the first snow on Oct. 7 left many fields too wet to combine. While some farmers are finished in the Edberg area, many farmers still have 10 to 15 per cent of their crop in the field.

“Lots of farmers have combined in December before, but there can’t be any snow,” said Brett Jans, coordinator for the group as well as a sales agronomist with Edberg Crop Management who farms with his family. “If all the snow did disappear we could go out and harvest, but we can’t if there’s any snow on the crop.”

Jans was quick to point out that the situation isn’t all doom and gloom for farmers.

“We may not be done harvest, but it’s not life or death for us. It’s going to be tough for a lot of these guys to manage, but they’ll sur-

vive. They’re not in a situation where they can’t put food on the table anymore.

We’re incredibly lucky for that,” Jans said, noting that crop insurance and line of credits help farmers through a tough year.

“The places we’re sending this money to, they’re in the midst of war zones. If they have drought or floods, they don’t have that support system. If they don’t get their crops, they won’t survive.”

He said that it will be hard to organize a spring harvest as farmers have their combines put away and are in seeding mode.

A spring harvest will also mean yield loss, a downgrade in quality, and delayed seeding for next year’s crop.

Jans said that this year’s delayed harvest will mean no donation to the Canadian Foodgrains Bank.

“We rely on the selling of the crop to cover our costs and to make a donation,” Jans said. “We were fortunate enough last year when we sold the crop that we carried over some of our funds in case we were unable to get a crop in the future. We won’t be able to make a donation to the foodgrains bank, which is the whole reason for doing this project.”

Jans, along with Lisa Gustafsson and Lindsey Cowan, travelled to Ethiopia in February to see firsthand how the funds raised in Canada benefit the people of Ethiopia.

The Edberg Growing Project has been unable to harvest 90 acres of flax south of Edberg due to poor weather conditions. The group has covered its costs from funds carried over from last year’s crop, but will be unable to make a donation this year to the Canadian Foodgrains Bank.

Market access for Alberta seed potatoes to Thailand

By Murray Green

People in Thailand could soon be eating Alberta potatoes on a regular basis.

Alberta is the third province to have an export agreement with Thailand, joining Prince Edward Island and New Brunswick, both of which secured export agreements in 2009. Combined, these three provinces form about 76 per cent of Canada’s seed potato exports.

“Our government is pleased to announce the new market access for Alberta’s seed potatoes to Thailand. We are committed to seeking market access opportunities across the globe to strengthen our bilateral trade relationships, put more money in the pockets of Canadian farmers and grow the middle class in Canada,” said Lawrence MacAulay, federal Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food.

Alberta’s seed potato exports to Thailand could be worth up to $2 million annually, according to industry experts, adding to the $5 million on average exported annually to that country. The increased access will advance the competitiveness and create new opportunities for the seed potato sector.

“The Potato Growers of Alberta worked with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, Agriculture and Agri-food Canada and Alberta Agriculture and Forestry

to profile our seed industry to Thailand officials and to receive approval to export seed to their country. Alberta has a very innovative and progressive seed potato industry and is looking forward to the opportunity to grow low virus, high quality seed varieties requested by the Thai potato industry,” said Deb Hart, seed potato coordinator, Potato Growers of Alberta.

Alberta is a major seed potato producing province and lead seed exporter for Canada. Alberta’s seed potato growers produced over 128,000 metric tonnes of seed potatoes in 2015.

The province’s potato industry as a whole contributes over $1 billion to the economy annually.

Canada has been a world leader in seed potato production for more than 90 years and is the fifth largest seed potato exporter in the world.

The potato is the most valuable of all Canada’s vegetable crops and it accounts for a third of the annual revenues for Canadian vegetable farmers.

Horticulture, which includes the production of fruits, vegetables and potatoes, accounts for 15 per cent of Canada’s total farm revenues, which translates to more than $6 billion per year.

The COUNTRY BOOSTER, December 20, 2016 – Page 5

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The COUNTRY BOOSTER, December 20, 2016 – Page 6

Win a photograph of your farm!

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We offer a complete line of auto, home, farm, life and property coverage, backed by the strength of stable and committed insurance carriers. Call us today. We’ll make sure you’re ready for whatever the future brings.

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Thank you for your patronage this past year!

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From all of us at…

5000-51 Avenue, Camrose Phone 780-672-8759 Toll Free 1-877-672-8759

“We Sell for Less Than Big City Stores”

The farm appearing in this photograph is located in the Camrose trading area. If you recognize it as yours, come to the Camrose Booster, 4925-48 Street, Camrose.

You will be presented with a free 8” x 10” color enlargement of the photo.

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DIRECTORY CABINETS

Camrose Custom Cabinets 3623-47 Avenue, Camrose Phone 780-672-7875 Toll Free 1-800-251-9705

INSURANCE

Camrose Insurance Services Ltd. MICHAEL KELEMEN 5704-48 Avenue, Camrose Phone 780-672-9251 Phone 780-672-2273

BUILDING MATERIALS

Hauser Home Hardware Building Centre 6809-49 Avenue, Camrose Phone 780-672-8818

Visit Nufloors today for ALL your floor covering needs.

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Add a flag to your farmyard We sell top quality, long-lasting flags – from Canadian and provincial flags to flags from countries around the world. Choose from many sizes to suit your specific needs.

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The COUNTRY BOOSTER, December 20, 2016 – Page 7

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Flagstaff single governance Submitted Members of the Flagstaff

Intermunicipal Partnership (FIP) unanimously voted to design a single-tier governance model for all member communities in the region to consider.

The goal would be to dissolve Flagstaff County and all urban municipalities within its boundaries and have regional elections in October 2017 for a newlycreated single municipality.

“All the research, data and consultation feedback we’ve collected over the past year clearly indicates that one regional government gives our communities the best chance of success moving forward,” said Bob Coutts, Deputy Mayor of Forestburg and FIP chair. “This is a bold step, but we have to work together if we want to grow and attract new families and businesses to our communities.”

A sub-committee consisting of one representative from each of the ninemember FIP communities will immediately begin work on fleshing-out the details of a potential single-tier governance model for the region, based on the principles that have already been agreed to.

The committee will focus on what the governance structure would look like,

such as how many elected officials there should be and what their boundaries should look like. They will also be working on ideas to ensure there is still strong local representation within the regional model.

“We need to ensure that communities and citizens at-large have a strong local voice within a regional governance model. That is important if we are to be successful,” said Anita Miller, Mayor of Hardisty.

The committee will report back to FIP with a draft model in late-February or early-March. More public consultations on the initiative will follow in March and April. Details such as taxation rates, services levels and merging of bylaws could take up to three years to finalize after a new governance model is implemented.

“The goal is to ensure we can maintain or increase service levels for all citizens at a cost they are willing to pay,” said Gail Watt, member of the sub-committee and Mayor of Daysland. “Acting in silos and protecting what we have is no longer an option–it will do nothing to make our communities attractive to people and businesses.”

The committee was established to find solu-

tions for regional issues and is made up of elected representatives from all municipalities within the Flagstaff region. More information can be found at www.flagstaffunited.ca.

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Beauty through the lens

The COUNTRY BOOSTER, December 20, 2016 – Page 8

Vic Stuckey is ready to go bronc riding at the Benalto Rodeo in 1939.

Stuckey named to rodeo hall of fame

By Murray Green

Photo by Al Zimmerman Zimmerman captures two sharp-tailed grouse performing a ritual mating dance. Their sharply pointed tail feathers, the spectacular purplish coloured feathers on their throat below their beak and their bright orange eyebrows set them apart from other species of grouse found in Alberta.

By Lori Larsen

Alberta, and specifically central Alberta, has been the backdrop for many remarkable wildlife opportunities captured on film by Camrose and area photographer, Al Zimmerman.

A retired farmer from the Kelsey area, Zimmerman enjoys travelling with his wife and other friends and wildlife enthusiasts around this area, filming what many often pass by without even noticing.

“I had a bit of interest early because of the photo trail of my folks moving to this country,” said Zimmerman when explaining his interest in photography. “I have always enjoyed agriculture and the outdoors.”

Zimmerman became more serious about photography in late December 1990 when he took, what he referred to as, his first life shot.

“It was of a great horned owl on a bitter cold morning and there was a lot of hoarfrost even on the owl’s eyelashes. I nearly froze my feet and hands but it was worth it.”

Owls are one of Zimmerman’s favourite subjects but he is slowly expanding his interest to other species such as prairie chickens including sharp tail grouse.

“I used to think moose were so ugly but the friend I travel with got me interested in them. All of nature has something

Photo by Al Zimmerman Owls compose many of Zimmerman’s photographs as one of his favourite subjects including this great gray owl perched on a tree covered in hoarfrost.

really unique and interesting about them.”

For Zimmerman, photographing wildlife adds a degree of calmness and relaxation to his life,despite having to traverse through wooded or swampy areas or stay still in one spot for long periods of time sometimes in harsh weather conditions.

“I get so much more out of life just observing it all.”

While the majority of his work is done locally in areas such as Miquelon Lake, Big Knife, Forestburg and other ponds, fields and woods, Zimmerman has had opportunities to photograph other areas of Alberta and even outside of Canada.

“There is so much more around here than we realize,” he said. “I have gone out with a fellow from Edmonton banding snow owls and took photos, did some wing tagging of turkey vultures and observed whet owls being banded.”

For Zimmerman and his wife, who specializes in close up flower photography, it is a social outlet and although Zimmerman is not a member of the Camrose Camera Club this year, he said the club gives a huge boost to the craft.

Zimmerman’s advice for budding wildlife photographers, “It is 90 per cent lighting and 10 per cent luck.”

He added that with his amazing shot of the great horned owl with frost on its eyelashes he had taken 76 frames and saved two.

At this point his photography is mostly a hobby, although he has sold some photos and has made calendars and fridge magnets for gifts.

Perhaps one day people will be seeing his amazing photographs in a coffee table book.

Vic Stuckey Sr. was named to the Canadian Professional Rodeo Association Hall of Fame recently.

Stuckey was a prominent saddle bronc rider in the 30s before the Canadian Protective Association, the forerunner of the CPRA, was formed.

“This is a great honour for our family. We had about 35 of us go to Calgary to accept the award in October,” said son Bill Stuckey.

He appeared in rodeos across Canada and the United States with highlights in the Calgary Stampede, his third place showing paid out $11, and winning the Ponoka Stampede in 1938.

He learned business early in life. Once a patron of a livery stable left a yearling filly with the owner as part payment for his feed bill. The owner offered the horse to Stuckey if he could round up some money.

A horse roundup was occurring in Alberta, so one of the cowboys told him to mark the horse so it wouldn’t get caught up in the roundup.

He painted his horse green.

It lost a lot of hair, but he managed to save the horse.

“At 16-years-old he contracted rheumatic fever, which left him with a damaged heart that bothered him the rest of his life,” said Bill, who also rode steers and won the event in Calgary one year. “His brother brought him a clock to fix to pass the time and soon he was fixing things. Since he couldn’t do any heavy work someone suggested he become a watchmaker.”

Eventually health challenges forced Stuckey to leave rodeo and choose a different career path.

A jeweller owned some Vic Stuckey rides a bronc in Brooks in 1938.

horses that he wanted broke, so he offered Stuckey some watch-making advice in a trade for working with his horses. He worked for Birk’s jewellers in Calgary to gain experience, while still competing in rodeos. In about 1940, he took a watchmaker course, which led him to Stettler where he opened V. E. Stuckey Jewelry.

That didn’t slow his interest in rodeo. “He was a founding member of the CPA and vice-president of the Canadian Stampede Managers Association (He turned down the president role because of health). He was the founding president of the Central Alberta Stampede Association and was the manager of the Stettler Stampede,” said Bill.

Stuckey was a key leader in the establishment of a number of early rodeos that still run today.

He also helped other cowboys. Serious injury, before the CPA existed, left cowboys on their own if they were hurt. Stuckey was instrumental in raising funds for those struggling to survive a lifetime rodeo injury.

His personal popularity and reputation as a solid businessman were factors in his success.

Health issues resulted in his early death in 1953 at only 38 years old. Stuckey made the most of his life, riding broncs, as a rodeo builder, family man and businessman.

Some of his family still reside in the Camrose area and there are now four generations of Stuckey rodeo contestants.

“My brother Vic Jr.’s boy was a Canadian champion novice bronc rider. Another son was a champion calf roper.

The COUNTRY BOOSTER, December 20, 2016 – Page 9

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Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!

Council and Staff of Camrose County, Agricultural Service Board, Seed Cleaning Plant and West Dried Meat Lake Regional Landfill wish you and your family the best for a Happy and Safe Holiday Season.

Camrose County operations, including Transfer Sites, will be closed on the following dates during the Holiday Season:

BANK QUALITY, UALITY BANK SECURE …

Small Business Cheques 7.5” x 3.25” plus stub, black ink, white paper, numbered

500 cheques. . . . . $108.00 1000 cheques . . . $149.00 PHONE 780-672-3142 4925-48 STREET, CAMROSE

Personal Cheques All security features, unique background pattern to head off reproduction, copying and cut-and-paste operations.

80 cheques . . . . . . . . . . $25.95 120 cheques . . . . . . . . . $32.50 160 cheques . . . . . . . . . $35.00

• Monday, December 26, 2016 • Tuesday, December 27, 2016

• Friday, December 30, 2016 • Monday, January 2, 2017

In addition to the above, the Kingman and Kelsey Transfer Sites will be closed on Saturday, December 24, and the West Dried Meat Regional Landfill will close at noon on Saturday, December 24.

Regular office hours for ALL locations will resume Tuesday, January 3, 2017.

3755-43 Avenue, Camrose, AB T4V 3S8 Phone 780-672-4446 Fax 780-672-1008 Public Works 780-672-4449 Email county@county.camrose.ab.ca Website www.camrosecounty.ab.ca

The COUNTRY BOOSTER, December 20, 2016 – Page 10

Dome disease and the NDP disconnect

By Wes Taylor, MLA Battle River-Wainwright

SHINY,

Happy Holidays Hope your Christmas is merry and bright in every imaginable way!

It’s the little things that make the holidays special, like the moments we share with patients and friends like you. Thanks for filling our year with your visits. Serving you has been our privilege and pleasure.

SMITH CLINIC HOLIDAY HOURS: December 23. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

December 26. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . CLOSED December 27 to 30 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

January 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . CLOSED

From the staff and physicians of the…

WALK-IN CLINIC HOLIDAY HOURS: December 24. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

December 25. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . CLOSED December 26. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

December 27 to 29 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2:00 to 7:00 p.m.

December 31. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

January 1 and 2. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . CLOSED

#1, 6601-48 Avenue, Camrose

GIANT CARD

Submitted This oversized postcard arrived from the Camrose Association For Community Living just in time for a Flagstaff County meeting. The card thanked councillors for the $1,000 gold sponsorship of the community-focused organization’s charity auction.

The CAFCL currently provides services to 55 individuals in or from the Flagstaff region.

From left, councillors Wade Lindseth, Rick Manning, Reeve Gerald Kuefler, Gunnar Albrecht, Gary Matthiessen and Jim Matthews.

SKILLED HANDLERS

Lori Larsen, Camrose Booster Sixteen-year-old Shayna Nolan, right, of Hay Lakes watched intently as the judge checked over Joey the one-year-old Clumber spaniel Shayna was showing during the Battle River Canine Show held at the CRE in October. The junior handlers not only learn the skills of handling dogs but also care and wellness of the dogs, showmanship, professionalism and overall good sportsmanship.

Say what you will about his politics, the late Premier Ralph Klein truly was a man of the people.

With a larger than life personality, he gave us a host of witty one-liners and analogies that remain a part of the Alberta lexicon even to this day.

One of his favourites was a condition common to politicians who spend too much time in the Legislature, known as “Dome Disease.”

According to Klein, “You know that…you’re fully consumed with that disease when you start to think that unless it’s happening under the dome, it’s not happening at all.”

It seems the NDP government could use a heavy dose of Premier Ralph’s homespun wisdom–there is a growing disconnect between the NDP government and the vast majority of Albertans.

Life under the Dome is pretty cushy for friends of the NDP these days. There haven’t been layoffs or even pay freezes for many of them. In fact, the NDP have gone out of their way to stack Alberta’s senior political ranks and new advisory panels with a tidal wave of NDP activists from Ontario, British Columbia and the failed NDP government in Manitoba.

Outside the Legislature, in the rest of the province, everyday Albertans face a much harsher reality. The steepest recession since the 1980s, layoffs and closures have already devastated well over 100,000 families.

Calgary’s unemployment rate has reached 9.5 per cent and may reach double-digits by Christmas.

Albertans in both industry and agriculture well understand the boom and bust cycles that accompany being one of the world’s leading energy providers and food producers. We have been here before. We also know that it’s a hand up - a business friendly environment - not a government hand out that’s needed to restore investor confidence to bring back jobs.

Over the past year the NDP have increased taxes in just about every way possible, and are planning massive new increases in the coming years. In the next 12 months the NDP carbon tax alone will see government take $3 billion from our struggling families to fund risky corporate welfare schemes. That is not the Alberta way.

Premier’s Notley’s disconnect with regular Albertans became even more apparent last week, when she advised reporters that NDP policies are not harming Alberta’s economy.

She should know better. An internal NDP government memo leaked in June shows the government’s carbon tax will precipitate a 1.5 per cent loss of GDP, a decline in oil exports, a $4 billion drop in household income, and a further loss of 15,000 jobs.

The Premier also seems to be selectively forgetting an internal government document that warned of the “significant job loss” that would accompany a rapid increase in the minimum wage.

At a time when so many folks are struggling just to get by, Albertans expect government to get to work on policies that will get them back to work. Yet the Premier seems fixated on talking points clearly out of touch with the present reality.

She is echoing her own echo. This is what Premier Klein would call a telltale symptom.

Folks, is this what the doctor might diagnose as an acute case of rapidly progressing Dome Disease?

You can contact Wes Taylor, MLA Battle River-Wainwright at his office 780-842-6177 or fax 780- 842-3171.

The COUNTRY BOOSTER, December 20, 2016 – Page 11

Leduc searches for royalty entries

JOY, LOVE, PEACE AND HARMONY Wishing you every happiness this holiday season.

Submitted

If you are a young woman who loves rodeo, the Leduc Black Gold Pro Rodeo and Exhibition Association may have an awesome opportunity for you.

The association is excited to announce the return of the Leduc Black Gold Royalty program.

Dana Kostick, the chairperson of the royalty committee, said “Bringing back the royalty program is a very exciting initiative. We are building on the energy that the association has been creating around the community and with the rodeo. The royalty program is aimed at celebrating the traditions of agriculture and promoting the sport of rodeo and the community of Leduc.

“Taking part in the program will be a wonderful experience and a great opportunity for contestants,” Kostick said. “As rodeo royalty you will be an ambassador for the sport of rodeo, the Leduc Black Gold Pro Rodeo Association and the City of Leduc.”

“Our rodeo royalty will attend events throughout the year including rodeos, local fundraisers, and agrelated events,” Dave Rock, president of the Leduc Black Gold Pro Rodeo Association said.

“As a representative of the Leduc Rodeo Association, the winner and her ladies-inwaiting are given the chance to travel to events throughout Alberta, make connections with kids, fans, sponsors, contestants and organizers.

They will have opportunities to promote the sport, work with media, network with people, build public speaking and presentation skills.”

Contestants must be between 20 and 24 years of age with riding experience and access to a horse and trailer during her reign, which will run from January to December of each year.

Kostick is excited that the first year’s competition will take place in January 2017. “It is a very exciting time to be part of Rodeo and the Leduc Rodeo Association,” said Kostick, “It looks to be another great year for rodeo in Leduc.” The 2017 competition will feature public speaking, interviews, and horsemanship sessions.

Applications to take part in the Miss Leduc Black Gold Rodeo competition are being accepted until Dec. 31. Miss Leduc Black Gold Rodeo will be crowned at a rodeo sponsored community event to be held in mid-February 2017.

Visit www.blackgoldrodeo. com to view program rules and regulation, application requirements and download the application.

We are very proud to serve this fine community and wish all of our neighbours peace and contentment during this holiday season.

We thank you most sincerely for your trust in us.

Cam and Christine Parker Bart and Karen Orr John and Carmen Person Derek and Kathryn Robertson Bob Hanrahan

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The COUNTRY BOOSTER, December 20, 2016 – Page 12

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